Dev · Top stories
Guide to improving Android phone location accuracy through settings adjustments
Android users can improve their phone's location accuracy by enabling the Location Accuracy Service setting. This feature allows the device to utilize Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and sensors in addition to GPS for more precise positioning, especially in areas with poor GPS signal.
Reverse Engineering a Commercial Spatial Audio Effect for Linux
A developer reverse-engineered a commercial spatial audio effect to create a similar program for Linux. The process involved experimenting with HRTF databases and analyzing the filter's behavior to replicate the desired sound.
Designing Products for OpenTelemetry Export to Any Observability Stack
This article outlines how to design self-hosted or SaaS products to export logs, traces, and metrics to any OpenTelemetry (OTel)-compatible backend. Supporting OTel export provides users with vendor-neutrality and flexibility in choosing their observability stack, addressing compliance, cost management, and data centralization needs.
Prime-Sentinel Command: A Python Master-Agent Framework for Distributed Telemetry
Dr. Ahmad Mateen Ishanzai developed Prime-Sentinel Command (PSC), an object-oriented master-agent framework in Python for distributed telemetry and diagnostics. PSC separates centralized orchestration from autonomous edge execution to improve fault isolation and reduce bottlenecks in monitoring systems.
Modulo Operator Can Cause Non-Uniform Distribution in Random Selections
Using the modulo operator with a large random number to select from a smaller set of choices can lead to a non-uniform distribution, where some choices are picked more frequently than others. This occurs because the modulo operation does not evenly distribute the input range across the output range when the input range size is not a multiple of the output range size. Developers should use functions like `random_between(l, h)` to ensure uniform distribution when selecting from a range.
System-level ad-blocking methods for Android devices in 2026
This article outlines various methods for system-level ad-blocking on Android devices, focusing on techniques that override DNS behavior to prevent ads across all applications. It details four primary approaches, including commercial DNS services, VPNs, and ad-blocking apps with or without root access. The information helps Android users understand how to mitigate pervasive advertising on their mobile devices.
How to Automate Tasks in Windows 11 Using the Built-in Task Scheduler
Windows 11 includes the Task Scheduler, a built-in tool for automating repetitive PC routines. This tool allows users to configure triggers like specific times or system events to run programs, commands, or scripts, thereby offloading manual tasks.
Method to Restore iChat Audio and Video Conferencing on Older macOS Versions
A method has been discovered to reactivate iChat's audio and video conferencing features on macOS Leopard and Snow Leopard. This involves modifying the `/etc/hosts` file to redirect `configuration.apple.com` to a specific IP address, allowing the legacy application to connect to necessary services.
Developer Shares Experience Returning to Node.js After Using Deno
A developer shares their recent experience using Node.js for a SvelteKit project, noting improvements in ECMAScript support and API modernization. The article discusses package management with FNM and PNPM, and Node.js's handling of TypeScript.
Self-hosted HTTP Tunnels Using OpenSSH and Nginx
This article details how to create self-hosted HTTP tunnels using OpenSSH and Nginx to expose local services to the internet. It outlines the setup for remote port forwarding and Nginx proxy configuration, along with methods for access control.
Beginner Python Course Teaches Programming Through Visual Drawing
A new beginner Python course, "Build with Python," uses visual drawing on a canvas to teach fundamental programming concepts. The course covers function calls, variables, loops, and click events by having users create a robot, repeat patterns, and build a click-to-draw painting application.
Understanding and Fixing Screen Tearing in Gaming
Screen tearing occurs when a graphics processing unit (GPU) renders frames at a different rate than a monitor displays them, leading to visual artifacts. This issue, common in PC gaming, can be resolved through technologies that synchronize frame delivery between the GPU and monitor.
Personal Experience with Custom Domain Email Solutions
A user details their experience setting up a custom domain email, evaluating Cloudflare Email Routing and the open-source Mailflare project. The user found Cloudflare's solution lacked robust sending capabilities and Mailflare's sending reliability was insufficient for personal use.
Windows 11 RAM Usage Explained: Modern OSes Utilize More Memory for Performance
Windows 11 actively uses a significant portion of available RAM, often appearing high in Task Manager, to preload frequently used applications and files. This memory management strategy, handled by processes like SysMain, aims to improve system responsiveness and application launch times by keeping data readily accessible.
Workarounds for Google Docs Dark Mode on Web
Google Docs lacks a native dark mode on its web version, despite being available on mobile. Users can enable a dark mode experience through experimental Chrome flags or third-party browser extensions.
Understanding Directory Sync: Users, Groups, and Identity Providers
This article explains directory synchronization, differentiating it from Single Sign-On (SSO), and details how user and group information from identity providers is managed within applications. It outlines the components of a directory and the process of keeping application directories updated with changes from the source of truth.
Guide to setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication
This guide explains how to configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate a sending domain. Proper email authentication helps prevent messages from being marked as spam and is required by providers like Gmail for certain sending volumes.
Developer builds functional programming language in C for data structures assignment
A developer created a functional programming language in C, including closures, a garbage collector, and a REPL, while working on a data structures assignment to evaluate arithmetic expressions. The project evolved from a simple expression evaluator into a more complex language implementation.
Google AI Cloud Developer Advocates Detail Graph Workflows in ADK for Executable Processes
Google AI Cloud Developer Advocates explain how to use graph workflows within the Agent Development Kit (ADK) to create executable processes. The article details how to break down tasks into nodes and edges, enabling parallel execution, decision routing, human intervention, and dynamic orchestration for complex operations like refund processing.
Strategy for Reassigning Resource Ownership Before Personnel Changes
This article provides a strategy to identify and reassign infrastructure resource ownership when personnel change roles or leave, preventing stale ownership records. It outlines a method using database queries to flag inactive owners, ensuring resource accountability and security. This approach addresses a common issue where infrastructure ownership updates are often overlooked during personnel transitions.
Integrating C++ Libraries into Godot Games Using Conan and godot-cpp 10
A guide details how to integrate C++ libraries into Godot game projects using Conan and godot-cpp 10, which is now available in ConanCenter. This method allows Godot games to utilize existing C++ functionalities for tasks like simulations or machine learning, overcoming GDScript's limitations with native code.
GrapheneOS App Performance Issue with Hardened Memory Allocator and Solution
A GrapheneOS user identified that the hardened memory allocator caused performance issues for the Osmand app. Disabling this protection on a per-app basis resolved the slowdown, allowing Osmand to run at normal speeds.
Android setting change can make phones feel faster by adjusting animation scales
Android users can adjust animation scale settings in Developer Options to make their phones feel faster. Changing Window, Transition, and Animator duration scales to 0.5x makes system animations play twice as fast, creating a perception of increased speed.
Guide to Safely Debloat Windows 11 by Removing Unwanted Software and Settings
A guide outlines a method for debloating Windows 11, focusing on manual uninstallation, settings modification, and custom debloating tools. This process addresses pre-installed software, user tracking, and data collection to improve system performance and user experience.
Building a Custom Binary Format to Shrink JSON Payloads by 80%
A developer created a custom binary schema language that reduces JSON payload sizes by 80%. This was done to explore alternatives to JSON for data storage and transmission, focusing on binary packing techniques.
Guide to Self-Hosting a Website as a Tor Hidden Service
This article provides instructions on how to host a website as a Tor hidden service, making it accessible only within the Tor network. It details the configuration steps for Tor and Nginx, and explains how to adapt static site generation for a .onion address.
Go Code Should Use Custom Domains to Avoid Coupling to Git Hosting Providers
Go code's default namespacing by Git hosting location creates coupling, making it difficult to switch providers. Using custom domains for Go package imports allows developers to change Git hosts without altering code or breaking user installations.
How to Run Android Apps on Windows PCs Using Emulators or Google Play Games
This article explains how to run Android applications on a Windows PC, primarily through emulators like BlueStacks and MuMuPlayer, or via the Google Play Games app. This functionality is useful for mobile gamers, content creators, developers, and DIY tinkerers who want to use Android apps on a larger screen with PC peripherals.
Go Concurrency Distilled: A Mini-Book on Go Concurrency Topics
A new mini-book titled "Go Concurrency Distilled" offers an overview of Go concurrency topics with interactive examples. It serves as a refresher for developers already familiar with Go concurrency concepts.
Configuring Swap, ZRAM, Zswap, and Hibernate on NixOS for Desktops and Laptops
This article details how to configure swap, zram, zswap, and hibernate features on NixOS, specifically for desktop and laptop use cases. It explains the necessity of swap for hibernation and discusses the differences between swap partitions and swap files, noting NixOS's handling of swap files for hibernation.
GeaStack Provides Example Applications for TypeScript and CSS Native App Development
GeaStack offers a repository of example applications and tools for developing native applications using TypeScript and CSS. These examples demonstrate how to build apps compatible with various targets, including web, embedded boards, and Apple devices, using the GeaStack framework.
Creating Memory Dumps in C# for Debugging Unresponsive Applications
This article explains how to create memory dumps in C# to debug unresponsive applications, focusing on issues related to asynchronous code and thread pool saturation. Memory dumps capture application state, offering insights into objects in memory and broader application behavior for post-crash analysis.
Ethernet Splitters vs. Switches: Understanding Network Connectivity Options
The article explains the differences between Ethernet splitters and switches, detailing how passive splitters work and why they are generally not recommended for modern network setups. It clarifies that passive splitters only support older, slower Ethernet standards and require two units to function.
Understanding Type Punning in C and C++ and its Undefined Behavior Implications
Type punning, the practice of interpreting memory as different types between reads and writes, can lead to undefined behavior, especially when using pointer casts. While unions and `memcpy` offer safe methods for type punning in C, pointer casts are technically undefined under strict aliasing rules, despite often working in practice. The distinction between C and C++ regarding type aliasing assumptions by compilers can cause unexpected bugs, particularly with compiler optimizations.
Repurpose an old Android tablet as an Android Auto head unit using Open Headunit app
The Open Headunit app allows users to convert an old Android tablet into an Android Auto head unit, providing a car-friendly infotainment system. This offers a solution for vehicles lacking built-in Android Auto support, especially as some automakers reduce support for the feature.
Personal Journey Learning Shell Scripting for Command Line Automation
A developer recounts their experience learning to automate tasks on the command line using shell scripting, moving beyond single commands to integrate multiple programs with logic. This personal account highlights the transformative impact of scripting skills for developers seeking to control and combine existing tools.
Gadesk App Enables Samsung DeX on Galaxy Z Fold 8 Inner Screen
A new app called Gadesk allows users to run Samsung DeX directly on the inner screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. This provides a desktop-like experience on the device's large internal display without needing an external monitor.
Developer Compares Zig to Rust Through JSONPath Implementation
A developer with seven years of Rust experience implemented a JSONPath query language in Zig to compare the two languages. The project highlighted differences in tooling, particularly the lack of advanced IDE support for Zig compared to Rust.
Understanding MSI Mode on Windows PCs and its Impact on GPU Performance
MSI (Message Signaled Interrupts) mode is a Windows feature allowing hardware devices to communicate with the CPU by writing to a memory address, reducing latency compared to traditional hardware interrupt lines. While it can improve frame pacing and reduce input latency on older systems, it does not increase GPU rendering speed, and modern GPUs typically enable it by default.
Tutorial: Integrating Rust Code into Python for Performance with PyO3
A tutorial demonstrates how to integrate Rust code into Python applications using PyO3 and Maturin, focusing on building a JSON parser. This method allows Python applications to leverage Rust's performance for tasks like data validation and parsing, as exemplified by Pydantic v2's use of Rust extensions.